Spay/Neuter Law in Omaha, Nebraska

Sec. 6-1. – Definitions.

For the purposes of this chapter, the following words and phrases shall have the meanings respectively ascribed to them:

[…]

Cattery: A person who a) is engaged in the commercial business of buying, selling, breeding, care or boarding of cats, or keeps six or more cats over four months of age; b) does not possess a valid pet avocation permit, a valid feral cat colony caretaker permit nor a valid pet shop permit; and c) whose activities in such business or keeping of cats is not conducted exclusively indoors.

[…]

Kennel: A person who a) is engaged in the commercial business of buying, selling, breeding, care or boarding of dogs, or keeps four or more dogs over four months of age; and b) does not possess a valid pet avocation permit nor a valid pet shop permit;

Sec. 6-50. – Fees.

The following fees shall be charged for the impoundment of any animal under the provisions of this article:

Altered animals:

(a) First redemption …..$ 35.00

(b) Second redemption …..70.00

Within 24 months of the first redemption

(d) Subsequent redemptions …..+$50.00

Unaltered animals:

(a) First redemption …..$ 100.00

(b) Second redemption …..300.00

Within 24 months of the first redemption

Provided, that if proof of sterilization and microchipping is presented to the animal control authority within 90 days of the date of redemption of an unaltered animal, the fee will be reimbursed as follows:

(a) First redemption …..$ 65.00

(b) Second redemption …..230.00

Whenever any animal is impounded, an additional fee shall be charged for each day, or fraction thereof, of impoundment for feeding and caring for such animal. Such additional fee shall be pursuant to a schedule of fees provided by the animal control authority and approved by the chief of police.

Provided, that if at the time of impoundment, the owner holds a valid breeders permit, the charge shall be the same as an altered animal.

Sec. 6-103. – Required—Generally.

It shall be unlawful for any person to own, keep or harbor any dog or cat within the city unless such dog or cat has been licensed by the authority as required by the provisions of this article; provided, however, that this section shall not apply to any dog or cat which has not reached the age of 16 weeks or to holders of feral cat colony caretaker permits for cats that are part of the colony for which such holder has such a permit.

Sec. 6-105. – Fees—Generally.

The annual fee for a license required by the provisions of this article shall be a sum according to the following schedule:

(a) Each neutered male or spayed female dog …..$26.00.

The fee will increase to $27.25 on January 1, 2024 and increase to $28.25 on January 1, 2026.

(b) Each sterilized cat …..13.00.

The fee will increase to $14.25 on January 1, 2024 and increase to $15.25 on January 1, 2026.

The fee will increase to $52.25 on January 1, 2024 and increase to $53.25 on January 1, 2026.

Sec. 6-126. – Kennel or cattery fees.

The fee for a kennel or cattery license shall be $100.00 per year and shall be paid at the time of making application therefor. No kennel or cattery shall be maintained nor shall a license be issued to a kennel or cattery that creates a nuisance in the immediate neighborhood through noise, odor or unsanitary conditions.

Sec. 6-127. – Same—Kennel or cattery.

Every person who conducts activity classified as a kennel or cattery shall obtain an annual license to do so from the permits and inspections division.

Sec. 6-128. – Application—Generally; kennel or cattery.

Written application for a license required by the provisions of this article shall be made to the permits and inspections division, or to such agents, or their designees, as are provided in section 6-2 of this Code, and shall state:

(a) The name and address of the owner of each dog or cat;

(b) The breed, color, age and sex of each dog or cat;

(d) Such other information as may identify each dog or cat.

The applicant shall certify to the information contained in such application under penalty of law for the willful making of any untrue statement. Such written application for license shall be accompanied by proof of current rabies vaccination for each dog or cat over the age of four months.

Where such application is made to the authority’s designees, such designees may charge a handling fee, not to exceed $5.00 per license.

Sec. 6-129. – Certificate of compliance for kennels or cattery.

To enable the owner of any kennel or cattery to have the same licensed under the provisions of this article, such owner shall present to the permits and inspections division a certificate stating compliance with all laws and regulations to kennels or catteries from the city planning department, the county health department and the authority.

Sec. 6-130. – Inspections of kennel or cattery.

Animal sales, purchase, and treatment records shall be maintained on the kennel or cattery premises for a period of not less than 12 months. Such records and the premises shall be open for inspection by duly authorized agents of the authority during reasonable hours.

Sec. 6-143. – Breeders permit.

(1) A breeders permit shall be obtained by:

(a) Any person who intentionally or accidentally causes or allows the breeding of a cat or dog and;

(b) Any person who offers for sale, sells, trades, receives other compensation or gives away one or more dogs or cats from a litter of dogs or cats, produced by a female owned by him or her, except a litter of dogs or cats taken to the authority;

(2) Such person shall:

(a) Furnish the authority with information on the birth of each litter of dogs or cats as may be required by the authority, to register that litter of dogs or cats with the authority, and to be assigned a litter number for each litter;

(b) Register with the authority the name, address, and telephone number of each buyer or new owner of any dog or cat sold or transferred within five days after the date of such sale or transfer;

(c) Transmit to the new owner or buyer the litter number of the animal acquired, and the breeder’s permit number in order that the new owner has assurance and proof that the animal was legally bred;

(d) Immunize all cats and dogs offered for sale, trade or other compensation or for free giveaway (except an animal taken to the authority) against common disease; in the case of dogs, against distemper and parvo, and in the case of cats, against distemper and panleukopenia;

(e) Not offer a dog or cat under the age of eight weeks for sale, trade, and other compensation or for free giveaway (except a dog or cat or litters of them taken to the authority); and

(f) In all advertisements for a litter of dogs or cats, provide the litter number assigned by the authority in the text of such advertisement.

(3) Any such person is required to obtain an annual breeders permit from the authority and pay a permit fee of $100.00. Such permit must be obtained prior to the disposition of any dogs or cats. A late fee of $25.00 shall be charged if obtained after disposition. No permit required should the female and dogs or cats be taken to the authority.

(4) Should the breeder chose to have the female animal spayed within three months of the birth of the litter and supply proof to the authority, the $100.00 permit fee shall be reimbursed.

(5) Such breeders permit is in addition to any other permits required by this chapter.

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